Andres's therapist Max confronted him about his lack of willingness to make decisions. What theory is Max most likely working from?

• A. Gestalt
• B. Psychoanalytic
• C. Cognitive-behavioral
• D. Humanistic

Answer: (A)

Gestalt therapy centers on present-mocused awareness and taking responsibility for one’s choices. The therapist intentionally brings attention to what the client is experiencing in the here and now and uses confrontational or experiential techniques to surface avoidance and promote action. When a therapist confronts someone about a reluctance to decide, it fits this approach because the goal is to make the decision-making process visible, felt, and revisited in the moment, so the client can own their choices rather than remain detached or avoidant.

In practice, the therapist would challenge Andres to notice the thoughts, sensations, and feelings that arise when a decision is on the table, encouraging him to express what holds him back and to experiment with deciding in small, immediate ways. This aligns with the here-and-now focus and the use of experiential methods (like guided dialogue or chair work) to increase awareness and help the client complete the “unfinished business” of avoidance.

Psychoanalytic approaches would lean more on uncovering unconscious motives from the past and defenses, not primarily about direct present-moment confrontation. Cognitive-behavioral approaches would emphasize identifying and restructuring thoughts that block decision-making rather than focusing on here-and-now awareness and responsibility. Humanistic therapy would center on growth, self-acceptance, and authentic contact, but the explicit confrontation to elicit immediate, in-the-moment decision action is more characteristic of Gestalt work.